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Renaissance Accelerated Reader

Renaissance Accelerated Reader

Overview

What is Renaissance Accelerated Reader?

Renaissance Accelerated Reader® is designed to save educators time by empowering them with Learnalytics® to make differentiating independent and close reading practice effortless – all while maintaining the flexibility necessary to fit within existing classroom routines. Students are engaged in…

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Renaissance Accelerated Reader has a wide range of use cases in educational settings. Teachers and students across various grade levels …
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AR Works!

10 out of 10
November 16, 2023
My school uses Renaissance Accelerated Reader 360 to help students learn to and love to read. It is perfect for providing a touch of …
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Points Chasers

7 out of 10
December 10, 2021
Incentivized
I facilitate the program. Students have started chasing points instead of reading for pleasure. They skim the book to get the answers.
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AR Book Success!

10 out of 10
October 15, 2021
The [Accelerated Reader] program through Renaissance is wonderful. It allows me to track the books my students are reading, and allows …
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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What is Renaissance Accelerated Reader?

Renaissance Accelerated Reader® is designed to save educators time by empowering them with Learnalytics® to make differentiating independent and close reading practice effortless – all while maintaining the flexibility necessary to fit within existing classroom routines. Students are engaged in…

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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Product Details

What is Renaissance Accelerated Reader?

Renaissance Accelerated Reader® is designed to save educators time by empowering them with Learnalytics® to make differentiating independent and close reading practice effortless – all while maintaining the flexibility necessary to fit within existing classroom routines. Students are engaged in reading self-selected authentic books and articles.

Short comprehension quizzes and built-in close reading practice activities, combined with automatic and educator feedback, keep students accountable for their learning. Dashboards and reporting provide users with the insights necessary to identify quickly which students need more support, which skills each student is ready to learn, and which resources will cultivate proven growth.

According to the vendor, key benefits include:

  • Students are nearly twice as likely to be college and career ready with they practice with Renaissance Accelerated Reader.
  • A strong research base of 178 scientific studies and review backs Renaissance Accelerated Reader, which ensures that you have scientifically sound practice and reliable data for instructional decisions.
  • The Council of Administrators of Special Education endorses Renaissance Accelerated Reader for improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

Renaissance Accelerated Reader Competitors

Renaissance Accelerated Reader Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationMobile Web

Frequently Asked Questions

ReadnQuiz, Whooo's Reading, and LightSail Education are common alternatives for Renaissance Accelerated Reader.

Reviewers rate Usability highest, with a score of 9.1.

The most common users of Renaissance Accelerated Reader are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(81)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Renaissance Accelerated Reader has a wide range of use cases in educational settings. Teachers and students across various grade levels use the software to promote independent reading, improve reading skills, and track progress. With its comprehensive tracking features, Renaissance Accelerated Reader allows teachers to monitor student reading practice and growth, providing standardized data that can be shared with other support personnel. This data-driven approach helps identify specific areas of challenge for individual students and guides discussions about their progress.

In addition to fostering a love for reading, Renaissance Accelerated Reader motivates students to read independently by allowing them to earn points and incentives. The software offers a vast collection of books that students love, with new additions being made regularly. It is often used as a tool to ensure that students are reading appropriate and challenging materials while checking comprehension skills. By setting goals and holding students accountable for their comprehension, teachers can effectively differentiate instruction based on individual needs. The program's user-friendly interface empowers students to take ownership of their learning and continually grow and improve as readers. Overall, Renaissance Accelerated Reader has become an invaluable resource for motivating and engaging students while using data to guide their growth as readers.

Users have made several common recommendations for Renaissance Accelerated Reader based on their experiences.

One recommendation is to utilize the program for data-driven instruction. Many users have found that Renaissance Accelerated Reader provides valuable statistics and data for teachers. This allows them to align their lessons with student needs and track progress effectively. By using the program, teachers can make informed decisions about which skills to focus on and tailor instruction accordingly.

Another recommendation is to take advantage of time-saving features. Users have noted that Renaissance Accelerated Reader frees up time for instruction. The program's automated assessment and grading system eliminates the need for manual grading, enabling teachers to devote more time to teaching. This efficiency is particularly beneficial in a busy classroom environment where teachers often face constraints on time.

A third recommendation is to enhance student engagement and motivation. Several users have mentioned that Renaissance Accelerated Reader increases student excitement about reading. The program offers rewards and incentives such as badges and points that motivate students to read more books. This gamification aspect has proven effective in encouraging reluctant readers and promoting a positive reading culture in the classroom.

In addition to these recommendations, users also suggest joining the Renaissance Royals program for tips and support. This program provides educators with resources, professional development opportunities, and a community of fellow educators to exchange ideas and best practices.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-2 of 2)
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Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use AR with my students to discover their reading levels and track both their comprehension and a reading activity. The problems are motivating students to read at home. I supplement the program with incentive prizes that I purchase. The addition of the goal setting and the moving rocket has really added to my students' excitement. I like how students can track their progress through the rocket and completed work. I wish that my/on better paired with AR so my non-readers could have access to books in their AR level. Both the STAR and Early Literacy tests do not address the leveling of students significantly below grade level.
  • STAR tests in accurate in leveling students.
  • The moving rocket for goals motivates students.
  • The leveling of books is helpful.
  • The webpage with the five kinds of assessment was so confusing for my students. Four of the boxes were blue and one was orange. You recently added a colored tip, which is somewhat helpful. I wish the graphics were more unique and engaging.
  • Work on the usability of my/on and better pairing it with AR
  • Generate AR tests more quickly when new books come out.
Ren Place AR works for readers, not so much for early readers and pre-readers. This can be a challenge when you're teaching a grade level where reading is an expectation but some students come in without the skills. While everyone else is doing AR, finding ways to engage the struggling readers adds a burden onto teachers.
  • STAR test
  • AR goals and monitoring
  • AR leveling
  • students are progressing
  • students are motivated
  • students are taking charge of their own learning
Epic's collection of books is far superior to Ren Place's my/on. Epic is more user friendly and visually engaging.
1000
Our staff and students use Ren Place to track reading levels and points.
1
Our IT support do not help us with Ren Place. Our Media Clerk sets the trimesters each year for goal setting but the rest is up to us.
  • finding books
  • reading books
  • testing on books.
  • setting goals
  • awards prizes for goals met
  • we use point dog tags as rewards for meeting point benchmarks
  • we also have a 100 point AR party at the end of the school year
It is such an excellent program for encouraging reading and promoting reading growth.
No
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
  • Prior Experience with the Product
I've used Ren Place for AR reading for years. It is consistently great.
No
  • Implemented in-house
No
  • no training for staff
  • huge changes to the platform
Extensive training on Ren Place is necessary. There are a myriad of reports that we need help understanding. I have joined Ren Royals and have learned a lot from that support piece.
  • no training
NO!
I do not know.
I do not know.
I do not know.
It used to be a 10. I could live chat with Ren Place reps. anytime I had a question. THis past year, I've had to wait on hold or get call backs at inconvenient times. As a teacher, this isn't feasible. I have a few inflexible break times each day in which to contact for help.
Unknown.
When RenPlace made the big platform change, we received no training from our district. I relieve heavily on Ren Place's live chats to navigate myself through the myriad of changes. It was a lifeline, especially because the changes were dropped on us mid-year.
User friendly for students and staff and improving each year.
  • Students seeing their goals grow
  • lots of reports to fit any need
  • almost too many reports
  • don't like how all the icons look the same and are the same color on the student window, confusing for early readers
I've used Ren Place in K, 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5th grades with success.
Quick loading, no issues.
  • my/on
  • Epic
My/on was not user friendly. Though designed specifically to integrate with Ren Place, it did not.
Epic was not designed to integrate so it added extra steps.
  • not at this time
No at this time
None
My/on debacle.
Really work on making my/on more user-friendly like Epic. STAR test results don't even determine suggested books in my/on!
Every person I've interfaced from Ren Place has been helpful.
Same answer.
I do not know.
I do not.
Yes
NO! No training for staff and it was dropped in the middle of a busy year. It was a huge tax on teacher's time and patience.
  • improved goal setting
  • improve visual appeal
  • fewer tests
  • more Spanish reports for parents
No
October 07, 2019

Drop Everything and Read

Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Accelerated Reader school-wide to assess student comprehension and to motivate/cultivate life long learners. We can measure growth and/or regression in the area of reading comprehension when monitored regularly.
  • Accelerated Reader gives immediate feedback.
  • It provides clear and concise instructions.
  • Accelerated Reader provides data to assist with instructional planning.
  • I would like to see a feature that will notify the building admin that a child has reached their reading certification.
  • I would like a feature that would generate a half size sheet of paper to include a student's username and password as well as their ZPD.
  • I would like the rollover rights from year to year be given to the building admin versus the district admin.
Accelerated Reader is best suited for grades 2nd - 5th. They are more independent. As noted, Accelerated Reader is a guided program. However, most schedules don't permit the time to guide students in kindergarten and first grade.
  • All positive!
  • Perfect for individualized goal setting.
  • It motivates the students to read.
I have not used or evaluated a product similar to Accelerated Reader.
Every time I call for support, the operators are friendly and helpful.
22
We are the largest K - 5 Public School in my district.
1
The Library Media Specialist is the only in-house support we have for Renaissance Accelerated Reader on an on-going basis.
  • To motivate students to read.
  • Assess student comprehension.
  • To foster a love for reading
  • We have used Accelerated Reader to bring excitement to reading.
  • We have hosted school-wide read-a-thons using Accelerated Reader.
  • We have used Accelerated Reader to reward students with local restaurant coupons for meeting their goal.
  • We are often brainstorming new ways in which to use Accelerated Reader.
Our kids love the healthy competition as well as reaching their individual goals.
No
  • Prior Experience with the Product
The use of this program fosters a love for reading while also providing rewards for students for reading achievement.
No changes.
  • Implemented in-house
  • Rolling students over for the new school year is the only issue.
I suggest that school create a plan that outlines:
*Opportunities for Reading
*Opportunities for Testing
*Opportunities for Rewards
*Student Accountability Measures prior to testing

I further that each classroom teacher create a classroom plan that mirrors the school plan.
  • no training
Yes. The product was easy to learn without training. I would only suggest this for users who are tech saavy.
Not sure.
One thing is to set up classes by homeroom not by grade level.
Not at this time.
I called customer service to find out why some of our media specialist could not generate reports needed. The customer service representative explained the solution. She walked me through the steps to correct the issue. She was friendly and patient throughout the call. Kudos to the Renaissance Learning Customer Service team.
  • Generating reports is fairly easy.
  • The goal setting calculator is a jewel.
  • Setting up the new school year and rolling over our students is the most cumbersome to perform using Renaissance Accelerated Reader.
This product is both adult and kid friendly.
Because students can take tests on varying book levels.
I have not encountered any problems with availability.
I have not experienced any performance issues.
  • myON
We have used both myON and AR together. This is easier now that both programs are powered by Renaissance.
  • no
N/A
  • Javascript widgets
no
No problems encountered.
None at this time.
Very helpful and friendly.
Again, no issues with the vendor after the sale of the product.
Not sure.
Not at this time.
  • N/a
  • N/A
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